Bill > H2953

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Rail Transit Fund to finance rail projects by introducing several new fees and surcharges on vehicles and rentals. A "green fee" will be collected during vehicle registration and renewal, with amounts varying by vehicle type, and an "emissions fee" will be charged at the time of vehicle inspection based on miles driven since the last inspection. Additionally, a 5% surcharge will be applied to car rental transactions and parking fees, with some exemptions for government-owned parking. These collected funds, along with a portion of the motor fuel fee, will be deposited into the newly created Massachusetts Rail Transit Fund, administered by the state treasurer. The fund will be used to finance "rail projects," defined as the planning, construction, and improvement of rail services, with a priority given to projects that expand service to underserved areas or provide new service. The bill also outlines a process for ranking and selecting rail projects for funding, establishes requirements for project labor agreements, and allows for the issuance of bonds to finance these projects, with specific provisions for capital reserve funds and the preservation of the right-of-way for the proposed North-South Rail Link.